Multiple language user interface for thermal comfort controller

ABSTRACT

A multiple language user interface system for a thermal comfort controller. The user interface system has a central processing unit coupled to a memory, a language selector and a touch sensitive display unit. The memory can store at least one user interface object and at least one control algorithm. In some embodiments, the user interface system also has a network interface for connecting to the Internet or other network. In some embodiments, the first time the user interface system is powered-up after installation, a first set of user interface objects are displayed on the display unit and the user selects a preferred language. Once a preferred language is chosen, user interface objects can be loaded into the memory and the display unit will display the user interface objects in the preferred language. In some embodiments, control algorithms are loaded into memory.

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No.09/706,077 filed Nov. 3, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,621,507.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to thermostats and other thermal comfortcontrollers and particularly to a multiple language user interface forsuch thermal comfort controllers.

Current thermal comfort controllers, or thermostats, have a limited userinterface which typically includes a number of data input buttons and asmall display. Hereinafter, the term thermostat will be used toreference a general comfort control device and is not to be limiting inany way. For example, in addition to traditional thermostats, thepresent such control device could be a humidistat or used for ventingcontrol. As is well known, thermostats often have setback capabilitieswhich involves a programmed temperature schedule. For example, atemperature schedule could be programmed so that in the winter months, ahouse is warmed to 72 degrees automatically at 6:00 a.m. when the familyawakes, cools to 60 degrees during the day while the family is at workand at school, re-warms to 72 degrees at 4:00 p.m. and then cools afinal time to 60 degrees after 11:00 p.m., while the family is sleeping.Such a schedule of lower temperatures during off-peak hours saves energycosts.

A schedule of set back temperatures is one example of a controlalgorithm that can be used by the comfort controller. Of course, suchcontrol algorithms will be different for different climates. The controlalgorithms also vary based on personal preferences. Some people liketheir homes warmer in the winter than other people do.

Programmable comfort controllers have been troublesome in the pastbecause users often do not understand how to correctly program thecontrollers. For people whose first language is not English, or forpeople travelling to a foreign country and staying in a hotel or otherhousing, programming comfort controllers can be even more difficultbecause the buttons, controls, and displays on the controllers areusually labeled with English words.

What is needed in the art is a user interface for a thermostat in whichthe temperature schedule is more easily programmed. To make theprogramming easier, users should be able to choose a preferred languageand then view the switches, etc. on the comfort controller in the chosenpreferred language. In addition, to make programming and using thecontrollers easier, different control algorithms should be available tothe user to choose from. The different control algorithms might beprogrammed during manufacturing, or loaded over the Internet or othernetwork after installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention can be regarded as a multiple language user interfacesystem for thermal comfort controllers. The user interface systemincludes a central processing unit, a memory, a display with atouch-sensitive screen used for input, and a language selector. Someembodiments also include a network interface. The memory can store atleast one control algorithm and at least one user interface object. Thelanguage selector is used to choose a preferred language. Once apreferred language is chosen, the display unit uses the user interfaceobjects in the memory that match the preferred language. In this way,the controls, labels, etc. that are presented to the user on the displayunit are in the user's preferred language. In one embodiment, when thecomfort controller is first powered-up after installation, the user maybe asked to select the preferred language and then the user interfaceobjects may be loaded. In some embodiments, the user interface objectsare loaded from the Internet. Control algorithms may also be loaded sothat the user can choose from one that is suited for the user's climateand personal preferences.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a user interface system for a thermalcomfort controller, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the user interface system in anembodiment with a stylus, in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a multiple language user interface system for athermostat or other comfort controller. Throughout the drawings, anattempt has been made to label corresponding elements with the samereference numbers. The reference numbers include:

Reference Number Description 100 Central Processing Unit 200 DisplayUnit 300 Memory 400 User Interface Object(s) 500 Control Algorithm(s)600 Initial Interface Object(s) 700 Stylus 800 Conduits toHeating/Cooling Devices, Thermo- stat, etc. 905 Additional Controls 910Other Data 915 Buttons 920 Labels 950 Network Interface

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodimentof the user interface system for a comfort controller. The userinterface system includes a central processing unit 100. This centralprocessing unit 100 is coupled to a display unit 200, a networkinterface 950, and a memory 300. The display unit 200 has atouch-sensitive screen which allows the user to input data without theneed for a keyboard or mouse. The memory 300 can store one or more userinterface objects 400 and one or more control algorithms 500. In someembodiments, the memory 300 can also store one or more initial interfaceobjects 600. The user interface system also has conduits 800 to theheating/cooling devices or thermostats thereof so that user interfacesystem can communicate with the thermostat or other comfort controller.

The display unit 200 includes a graphical display/touch sensitivescreen. This configuration provides for very flexible graphical displayof information along with a very user friendly data input mechanism. Thedisplay unit 200 may be very similar to the touch screen display used ina hand-held personal digital assistant (“PDA”), such as a Palm brand PDAmanufactured by 3Com, a Jornada brand PDA manufactured by HewlettPackard, etc. Of course the graphical user interface system could alsobe manufactured to be integrated with a thermostat itself. In such anembodiment, a touch-sensitive LCD display is coupled with thethermostat's existing central processing unit and RAM.

The control algorithms 500 are programmed or selected by the user. Onesuch control algorithm 500 would be a set-point schedule containing alist of times associated to a list of temperatures. The thermalcontroller sets-up or sets-back the temperature according to such aset-point schedule. For example, a set-point schedule could beconfigured to adjust the temperature to 60 degrees at 6:00 a.m., then to67 degrees at 6:30 a.m., and up to 73 degrees at 8:00 a.m., etc.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one possible embodiment of the userinterface system with a stylus 700. In FIG. 2, the user interface systemhas been installed as an integral element of the thermostat wall unit.The display unit 200 of the user interface system displays the graphicalrepresentation of the set-point temperature schedule. These graphicalrepresentations are presented as a graph in which one axis denotes timeand the other axis denotes temperatures. The graph is labeled 920. Otherdata 910 is also displayed, including the time and temperature. Ofcourse, other data could also be displayed, such as the current date,day of the week, indoor and/or outdoor relative humidity, etc.

The display unit 200 can also be configured with additional controls905, which could, for example, switch the display between Fahrenheit andCelsius for the temperature, between standard and military time, andbetween showing a single day's schedule versus showing a week'sschedule. The additional controls 905 are labeled. In FIG. 2, there is acontrol to review the schedules, one to program new schedules, and oneto manually control the heating or cooling of the house. In addition tothe additional controls 905 programmed and displayed on display unit200, physical buttons 915 of the thermostat could be programmed to beused for working with the user interface system as well. This is similarto the operation of a PDA.

There is also an additional control 905 in FIG. 2 which allows the userto select a preferred language. Once a preferred language is chosen, thedisplay unit uses user interface objects 400 in the memory to correctlydisplay all of the textual information in the preferred language. Forexample, in FIG. 2, if a language other than English was chosen, theadditional controls 905, the display information 910, and the labels 920would be redisplayed in the chosen language. This makes the comfortcontroller easier to use by someone for whom English is not his or herfirst language.

In one embodiment of the invention, the comfort controller would beinstalled without any user interface objects, initial interface objects,or control algorithms stored in memory. When first powered-up afterinstallation, the comfort controller is programmed to load the initialinterface objects 600 via the network interface 950. For example, thecomfort controller could retrieve the initial interface objects 600 froma web page on the Internet. Or the comfort controller's networkinterface 950 could include a modem connected to a phone line. In suchan embodiment, the initial interface objects 600 can be downloaded asfiles. The initial interface objects 600 are presented on the displayunit 200 and request the user to choose a preferred language. Once thepreferred language is chosen, the proper user interface objects 400 arethen downloaded. In another embodiment, the comfort controller can beconnected via the network interface 950 to a PDA, laptop computer, orsimilar device carried by the comfort controller installer. Theinstaller's PDA or computer can have libraries of control algorithms,initial interface objects, and user interface objects accessible frommemory which can be transferred by a cable, infra-red port,radio-frequency port or other communication method.

Of course, because memory is now so economical some embodiments of thecurrent invention are shipped from the manufacturer with the initialinterface objects and many language versions of the user interfaceobjects 400 already stored in memory 300. If enough languages are storedin memory 300, the network interface 950 is not necessary. Otherwise, itis only necessary if the preferred language is one that does not alreadyhave user interface objects 400 in memory 300.

Likewise, some embodiments are shipped with control algorithms 500already stored in memory. The user can pick and choose from thesealgorithms or can choose to download updated or additional controlalgorithms 500 via the network interface 950.

The graphical representations, controls and other data that aredisplayed on display unit 200 are managed by a computer program storedin memory 300. The computer program could be written in any computerlanguage. Possible computer languages to use include C, Java, and VisualBasic.

There are many ways in which the user interface system can work with thethermal comfort controller. The user interface system would probably beintegrated into a thermal comfort control system and installed on a wallmuch like current programmable thermostats. However, if the userinterface system is configured on a hand-held PDA, the user-interfacecould communicate with the thermal comfort controller via the PDA'sinfra-red sensor. Or, the PDA could be synchronized with a personalcomputer and the personal computer could set the appropriateinstructions to the thermal comfort controller. Or, the PDA could use acellular/mobile phone feature to telephone the controller (i.e.,thermostat, personal computer, etc.) to exchange pertinent and relevantdata.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that thereare a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the presentinvention which come within the province of those skilled in the art.However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from thespirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof.

1. A user interface system for a programmable comfort controller,comprising: a central processing unit; a memory capable of storing atleast one user interface object and at least one control algorithm, thememory coupled to the central processing unit; a display unit coupled tothe central processing unit, for displaying the user interface objectsand for allowing a user to program the control algorithms; and alanguage selector which allows a preferred language of a user to beselected, so that the display unit can display the user interfaceobjects that are in the preferred language.
 2. The user interface systemof claim 1, further comprising a network interface for connecting to anetwork, the network interface coupled to the central processing unit.3. The user interface system of claim 1, further comprising at least oneinitial interface object, stored in the memory, the initial interfaceobjects used by the language selector in allowing the preferred languageto be selected.
 4. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein thenetwork interface connects the user interface system to the Internet. 5.The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the network interfaceconnects the user interface system to a telephony network.
 6. The userinterface system of claim 2, wherein the network interface connects theuser interface system to a cellular telephony network.
 7. The userinterface system of claim 2, wherein the network interface usesinfra-red coupling to connect the user interface system to the network.8. The user interface system of claim 2, wherein the network interfaceuses radio frequency coupling to connect the user interface system tothe network.
 9. A method for programming a thermal comfort controllerwith a user interface system having a central processing unit, a memorycapable of storing at least one user interface object and at least onecontrol algorithm, a display unit for displaying the user interfaceobjects and for allowing a user to program the control algorithms, and alanguage selector which allows a preferred language of a user to beselected so that the display unit can display the user interface objectsthat are in the preferred language, wherein the memory, the languageselector and the display unit are coupled to the central processingunit, the method comprising: loading at least one initial interfaceobject into the memory, for use by the language selector; displaying theinitial interface objects to request the user to choose a language;selecting a preferred language with the language selector; and loadingat least one user interface object into the memory, for use by thedisplay unit in displaying user interface objects that are in thepreferred language.
 10. The method for programming a thermal comfortcontroller from claim 9, further comprising loading at least one controlalgorithm into the memory.
 11. The method for programming a thermalcomfort controller from claim 9, wherein the step of loading at leastone initial interface object is initiated when the thermal comfortcontroller is first powered-up after being installed.
 12. The method forprogramming a thermal comfort controller from claim 9, wherein the stepof loading at least one user interface object into the memory accessesthe Internet.
 13. An interactive display unit, comprising: a centralprocessing unit; a memory capable of storing at least one user interfaceobject and at least one control algorithm, the memory coupled to thecentral processing unit; a display unit coupled to the centralprocessing unit, for displaying the user interface objects and forallowing a user to program the control algorithms; and a languageselector which allows a preferred language of a user to be selected, sothat the display unit can display the user interface objects that are inthe preferred language.